If you have been charged with a crime that is considered a felony, it is in your best interest to seek legal representation. That way, you can formulate a strategy for your defense and better understand the differences in felony charges.
Classifying Felonies
When a crime is committed in Illinois, it is assigned a classification that is contingent on the seriousness of the offense. For example, if you are charged with a Class 4 felony, it is considered less severe than being charged with a Class 3 felony. It is also much less severe than a Class X offense.
As a result, when you consult with a criminal defense attorney, you will find that the five kinds of felony charges are defined, each with their own punishments. The most serious of the felonies is the Class X felony, which comes with a sentence of six to 30 years in federal prison.
Felony Punishments
A criminal defense attorney can assist you in understanding the reason for the classifications. For instance, felonies are categorized as follows:
* A Class 1 felony comes with a punishment of four to 15 years in the penitentiary.
* A Class 2 felony comes with a punishment of three to seven years in prison.
* A Class 3 felony leads to two to five years in a penal institution.
* A Class 4 felony comes with a punishment of one year to three years in prison.
Indeed, it takes the help of a criminal defense attorney to sort through the felonies and punishments. For instance, theft may be considered a Class 1, 2, or 3 felonies. The crime can also be defined as a misdemeanor in certain situations. The circumstances surrounding the theft must be considered as well as the value of the stolen property.
Some of the other offenses that are considered felonies include driving under the influence (DUI), shoplifting, domestic battery, robbery, burglary, possession of illegal drugs, financial crimes, murder, and rape. All of these offenses carry serious penalties—all the more reason you need good legal representation.
